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Introduction
Another month, another magazine. I am a bit surprised that I am able to keep my schedule as well as maintain the overall length ad
variety. The difference to the earlier edition would be the length of the interview/review section. Yes, a combined section. See, I
think it is rather pointless to give a band some space to express their opinions and talk about their music, while the latter is not
given the appropriate room to present to the reader what this band is all about. Therefore, Blackthrone/Astrum/Kosmokrater are
presented in one section, while Soul Devour in another.
Another point: the colour of the magazine has shifted a bit, because I wanted to create a more of flow between the pictures and the
background. The tools I have at hand here are limited and the idea had always been to have a soft transition between these two
aspects of the magazine, but as I decided to have some sepia-coloured pictures in this issue, the colorization of the earlier issues
needed to be revamped on a small degree. The LaTeX thing is still in the works and I am not always sure on how to get it done
properly. Maybe I am a bit too lazy and too indecisive when it comes to changing the program as well as the creating a definite
layout.
This issue will have a lot of content, but foreshadows the things to come:
More interviews combined with reviews; more poetry and more pictures.
The size of the letters has been reduced to nine and while arranging everything together, I got the vague feeling of having used
some of the pictures in a previous issue; which is not correct of course.
Important:
I have changed the Creative Commons license beginning with this issue. The new one is:
Creative Commons - Namensnennung - KeineBearbeitung
http://creativecommons.0rg/licenses/bv-nd/3.O/de/
I hope you enjoy reading this humble work of mine. Feedback is always welcome.
Cheers
Oneyoudontknow (oneyoudontknow at yahoo dot de)
Note:
As usual, no cover artworks were used, due to the messed up situation in International Copyright.
Art for Art's Sake
Art for Art's sake; but in that art.
The true, the beautiful, the good.
Traced from a throbbing human heart.
Should tint that sky, that field, that wood.
No lens may catch the soul that lies
Hidden in Nature's wondrous breast;
Alone, the lover's reverent eye
May there a blissful moment rest.
And how he wonders and adores.
As to his soul her own replies.
And yields the mystery of her shores.
Her trackless floods, her boundless skies!
(By Barry Dane)
Index:
The interview section:
Blackthrone (USA) / Astrum / Kosmokrater
With reviews on:
Blacktiirone (USA) -Grimness And Cold
Blacktiirone (USA) - Return to Darkness
Astrum - Reign of Storms
Astrum - Ordo Astrum
Astrum - Torch of the Ancients
Astrum - Icons
Astrum - Apocalyptic Dawn
Kosmokrater - Pure Nekro
Kosmokrater - Black Metal Supremacy
Kosmokrater - None More Black
Interview
Commerciais
Soul Devour
With reviews on:
Soul Devour
Apocalyptic Anti-Human Annihilation
Interview
Poetry: A Summer Evening Churchyard by P. B. Shelley
Tlie review section:
The big sleep in search of Hades -Ownland
A Dream of Poe - Lady Shalott
Ater - Arcane Terre
Thakandar - Unleashed
Silence Under Scaffold - Cemetary Gates
Poetry: Twilight Calm by C. G. Rossetti
Silem -Winter Landscapes
Janne Hanhisuanto - Icescapes
MZ-N71 - Paysages Industriels
And the Willow Weeps - Elegy (Collateral Murder)
Nernes / Skagen - Montreal (live)
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5
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7
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7-8
7-8
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12
13
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The Interview section:
Blaehthrone / ^Istrum / Kosmohratcr
I lackthrone, Astrum and Kosmokrater, these are the three bands which will be covered in the following long section of this
j issue. It all began some years ago, when a moderator at the Metal Archives asked me whether I would be interested in
writing a review on this quite obscure black metal band. Please keep in mind, when I got this request, only the second
Blackthrone release was known and only the first two releases of Astrum had seen the light of day, while Kosmokrater was still non-
existent. Moreover, there was no homepage, no band picture . . . nothing. Only this vaguely informative entry at the USBM list.
Well, I accepted the request and what I got was something really tough to endure; please visit the Metal Archives and read my
pieces in order to get an idea of what I am talking about. But ... but ... this band made their way. Spread promos, tried to get a lot
of opinions on their music, completed their line-up and a progression towards the right direction is there. The interview in this
edition is a little bit older and does not cover all the facts anymore, but it offers a good insight on how the bands work/ed and how
everything came the way it was. Enjoy the reading.
Band links:
Astrum
http://www.mvspace.com/themightvastrum
Kosmokrater
http://www.mvspace.com/kosmokratermusic
The reviews:
Blackthrone
Blackthrone (USA) -Grimness and Cold (1997)
6 Tracks (self-released) -_-_- (18:53)
In the process of writing this review/interview the band provided me with the MP3s of this release and as I have not covered it
before it seems only natural to do so in this edition of the magazine. Grimness and Cold dates back to 1997 and when listening to
it today, then I have to admit that in quality as well as in atmosphere it is superior to what came immediately after. Alright, the
quality of the files I have here at hand is a bit wanting, but you can nevertheless get the idea what the band wanted to express and
how their art of black metal could be categorized.
It is raw, it is unbalanced, it is a bit odd ... but it is also listenable not entirely bad. Maybe I should clarify the term 'bad' a bit. What
annoyed me on the early works - Blackthrone's Return to Darkness as well as the first two of Astrum - were some facets which
simply gave and give me a hard time; foremost the vocals and then the obvious short-comings of the instruments, the one thing
underground bands seem to find quite challenging to deal with. As usual it all comes down to the level of impact and in this respect,
Grimness and Cold is simply more tolerable and less annoying. So, generally fast played black metal, with the two types of vocals -
clean one as well as the typical half-growls/singing/speaking style - and a clearly discernable bass in the background is what this
release is all about. The sound is really muddy with the result of drowning the drum-computer nearly entirely ... at times.
So, this is the starting point of Blackthrone and Astrum and it is possible to hear some of the style already; which is a surprise I
have to admit. You can hear the some glimpses of the path will proceed on as well as how they interpret black metal. The side-
project of Mulciber aka Timpaler would continue with the old-school type of music, while Astrum takes a different progression; but
this will be discussed later.
Blackthrone (USA) - Return to Darkness (2001)
5 Tracks (self-released) -_-_- (12:54)
Imagine you write a review on a demo and give it a 1 0/1 00 score, how likely is it to give it a further spin? The odds are enormously
against it, but here I sit at my PC and write these lines to the tunes of Return to Darkness. Or am I supposed to write Return to
Torment? Well, this would be an excerpt from the review I once wrote on this piece of music nearly two years ago:
By listening to tlie music of Blackthrone one is taken back to the early days of the black metal scene and in a time when the
demands could easily be satisfied, because the scene offered little to the 'masses'. Such are the compositions on this release.
Simple composed riffs, a vocalist which could easily join a punk band and of course is all produced quite bad. None of this is
unknown and a lot of bands start this way, yet are the good moments simply too rare and the negative impressions simply too
graven.
http://metal-archives.com/review.php?id=1 95341
4
The difference between the early one - Grimness and Cold - and this can be described easily: the production. Some of the flaws
and inaccuracies simply drowned in the muddy sound of the first output, while the second one offers more transparency. Moreover,
the riffs on Return to Darkness show this weird slightly chugging style, which is later used on several releases again but not
earlier. Furthermore, the performance of Blackthrone is not far away from the early one of Astrum: the vocals and the song-writing,
the sound as well as the atmosphere give a clear indication where they originated and they evolved over time.
The demo comes with a Mayhem cover, but as the recording quality is quite low, I am unable to say whether it is good or bad.
From today's perspective I would judge the demo less harsh and examine it from a broader perspective. Yes, the quality is still
subpar but some moments can be enjoyed. Those who are interested in how everything came to be and where the ideas were
born, should turn to this release to receive some enlightenment.
Astrum
Astrum - Reign of Storms (2003)
5 Tracks (self-released)
(16:02)
A new name, a new approach? Not really. The general aspects have remained the same ... no, let me say it different. While the
basic or underlying principle of the music has barely changed, a shift in sound and atmosphere can be found. This was taken from
my review on it:
In comparison to the works of Blackthrone, the music of Astrum is certainly better and also has this release a better production. Still
does the music apply to the description of being some kind of primitive black metal and it takes the listener on a time travel into the
early days of the scene. Mid-tempo and fast are the songs and the riffs are repeated excessively, but there often a neat and solid
structure in the compositions and would it not be for the hilarious lyrics respectively vocals, the songs would be quite listenable.
http://metal-archives.com/review.php?id=1 94734
I would go a bit further now: the music has a sense of free style in the way the vocals are used. They do not follow the melody line
and do not only appear on a much too larger scale but also without orienting itself on the rhythm model. Believe me, you will hardly
find bands who craft black metal in this particular fashion. Yes, the issue of an imbalance of lyrics/music is something a lot of bands
have to deal with, but Astrum is different. Here you have a quite peculiar of 'we do not really care and give a fuck' attitude in the
execution of the music. It is so far of the score that some might praise the band for their extreme execution of the art. Moreover,
compared with the preceding release the music is more straight-forward and less of this weird riff chugging. One question remains
though: is the music dark and sinister? No ... but I doubt this has ever be the intention of the members behind Blackthrone or
Astrum.
Astrum - Ordo Astrum (2005)
5 Tracks (self-released)
Even though there are five tracks mentioned above, I have only four of them here. The missing one would be the last track, entitled
Evil Reign. Well, one cannot have everything.
Somehow the music is fascinating with its dark and raw sound, with the mixture
of clean and bloodless growling and with the primitive riffs as well as songs.
Sadly the ideas rarely [edited; original: never] reach the point in which they
become full circle and the two sessions in which the demo seems like to have
been recorded in -judging from the two different kinds of productions -, make it
hard for the band to thoroughly fascinate the listener, [edited; original: do not
help the band to fascinate the listener in any respect]
http://metal-archives.com/review.php?id=1 95339
An equation might cover the style of the music in some respect:
Blackthrone's Return to Darkness (sound) -i- Reign of Storms (song-writing,
general approach) = Ordo Astrum
(tracks 1 +2; the other ones are like on the preceding demo)
One difference should be emphasized: Astrum has its first long track: the title
track with a length of 6:42. Why is this important? Well, on all (!) preceding
releases the tracks were never less than two and never more then four minutes
long. The band attempted to keep it short and rather linear. Complexity in the
arrangements and the style was something this band did never seem to feel
very comfortable with. When done right such can have its advantages. Aside
from this, my comment on the preceding demo covers also this one in some
respect.
So, the first part (tracks 1-i-2) are pretty cool, while the other two have too much
of the fallacies of the Reign of Storms demo. How Astrum can sound, once
they get their stuff done right can be examined on these two tracks.
Astrum - Torch of the Ancients (2008)
5 Tracks (self-released) -_-_- (20:45)
Torch of the Ancients marks a turning point in the band's career. Originally recorded by Timpaler, the demo was spread around a
bit and got also into the hands of A. Tomik, who then became the drummer of Astrum. The idea to re-record the entire release
with him behind the kit was dropped later, but as four of these had seen this revamping already, the band used them for the Icons
ep. Just compare the two tracklists and you will see the similarities. One additional aspect needs to be mentioned as well: for this
recording electronic percussions were used but played and not programmed. All of these were performed by Timpaler.
On the music:
Yes, there is a transition. A transition from the early days of the band and from the unbalanced issues in the arrangements towards
something with a more of structure and timing. Yes, the music takes shape and you get an idea of what Astrum can sound ... in
some respect. The drums are a bit off the course and the vocals suffer from this issue as well, but the melodies give you at least
hints on the direction this band wants to proceed towards. Unlike on the preceding releases, this one gives the listener a coherent
performance of Astrum and even though it is still underground and has some amount of flaws, it is also one which comes with a
consistent approach. One recording session and nothing more was used; no switches in the balancing and the like can be found
here. In style there is a progression from the first part of the Ordo Astrum release, which had been discussed above.
A bit of a surprise are the slower - doomy? - parts and especially the opening of Lunar Descendants comes a bit of a surprise: a
slightly depressive segment progresses later into the normal old-school black metal of the band. This is the not the only example on
this release, but it the one worth emphasising; due to its sound and how it was placed in the composition.
Well, Torch of the Ancients reminds me a bit on a comment I read on the LLN-scene once: you have to look behind the obvious
facets and the flaws; paraphrased. This is what I would recommend in terms of this release as well. There are some nice moments,
but due to adverse effects as well as a too minimalist line-up, they are unable to reach their proper quality. Those who are
interested in getting an idea on where the ideas really took shape should give this demo a try. Moreover, as some of the tracks
were later re-released in a re-recorded fashion on the Icons
ep, fans might want to compare the different version of them.
Note:
The source of the biographic elements in this review is
Timpaler, who kindly provided the information on the
background of this piece of art.
Astrum - icons (2009)
5 Tracks (Before The Dawn Productions) -_-_- (13:45)
icons marks a break in the style of the releases. Unlike the
preceding ones. Icons has a cover artwork and was actually
released by a label; Before The Dawn Productions. One
more step towards professionalism. The history behind it has
been discussed above, so a brief comparison of the version
will be presented here.
The first obvious difference is the sound. With a real
drummer in the background the music comes with a different touch and atmosphere. Raw and slightly noisy punkish black metal is
what the listener can find on this release and from the sound as well as the style, the expression 'underground comes to the mind.
Aside from this change a further appears in the dynamics. With the monotonous drum patterns in the background gone, the
drummer is able to give the songs at least a bit of additional power and drive. It is not much, because of the dominance of the
guitars as well as the unbalanced production, but a bit is able to shine through.
Experiment failed? Would this be a proper description of this release? Once you happen to know the history behind it, then you
look at it in a different light and understand the reasons why it was so difficult for the band to get the music right. One-man-line-ups
find it generally challenging to get the drums and the guitars into a coherent and sound combination, but to use the same pattern
and rhythm models for a new release, while the drum-machine is replaced by a real drummer is not an easy task and the outcome
can be examined here. To listen to Icons is a bit of an ambiguous experience ... even more so now.
Which version is preferable? A tricky question, because both have their pros and cons. While the early one is more consistent in
the sound and arrangements, but tiring due to the drum-computer, the other one sounds a bit messy but has some additional drive.
Could be a matter of preferences...
nJ^ >^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^M^ ^^ ^^ ^^ >^ vL^
"i^ *T^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ "T*" *T^ "i^
Astrum - Apocalyptic Dawn (2009)
10 Tracks (Before The Dawn Productions) -_-_- (27:10)
The band really starts here. After a good amount of releases and attempts, several musicians got together and recorded this piece
of black art. Black? Well, this term would scratch nothing the surface and leave everything else beyond it untouched. Apocalyptic
Dawn is rather thrash with punk and black metal facets then something solely belonging to this dark, harsh and aggressive genre.
In some respect this development is the result of the continuous evolution of the band over the years. Those aspects had always
been part of the band's concept, but only here they have such a graven impact on the compositions and the overall style. It is like
only with a full line-up these had a chance to blossom and to be released into the open.
In part the evolution and the sound is only natural, because glimpses were already able to shine through on the Icons ep. There the
drums gave the music an additional amount of dynamics and drive, but the progression did not stop there. When you listen to this
latest piece of music, then there is rather a 'we do not give a fuck attitude' apparent than anything someone would associate with
the black metal genre. Apocalyptic Dawn moved towards Hellhammer's Apocalyptic Raid release, but changed the way in
between towards a different direction. When you take a band like Warhammer for instance, then Astrum's performance is swifter
in the execution and has less of this 'graven and heavy' atmosphere, this thousand ton burden which hangs upon this type of music
at times.
A constant aspect are the vocals with their mixture of growls, screams and speaking. They follow the aforementioned bands in
style, but do not try to merely copy their concept. When you listen to the art of Astrum and are aware of the band's history, then you
will notice some facets which occur again and again. The song-writing, the way the texts are 'expressed' and certain aspects of the
atmosphere show hints on the previous works. Compared to the current standard of the scene, this American band follows a rather
barren path, but as Darkthrone seems to progress also towards a more punkish path, the future might not as bleak as one might
imagine.
Sadly, some of the flaws of the early releases could not get rid of and it is therefore possible to find some of the weird timing
problems again. Yet, compared with the previous recordings, this is an aspect someone might tend to or be willing to ignore.
Rather, some praises will be uttered about the old-school inspired and actually well executed production. Everything is still a bit raw
and seems to have been recorded in several different sessions, but this is also nothing but a minor flaw.
It is pretty easy to describe the performance of the band on Apocalyptic Dawn as the most mature up to date. Unlike on the
preceding outputs the amount of annoying facets are rather low and also the production is appropriate. This is not mainstream
music, nor anything that would easily reach the attention of a broader audience, but with recordings of similar qualities, Astrum
might be able to receive the attention they deserve. There is already a new album in the making and also a split album is planned,
so watch out . . . this band is on its way to prepare the next round of ass-kicking.
Kosmokrater
Kosmokrater - Pure Nekro (2009)
1 Tracks (self-released) -_-_- (30:59)
Kosmokrater - Black Metal Supremacy
8 Tracks (self-released) -_-_- (44:29)
Kosmokrater - None More Black
1 Tracks (self-released) -_-_- (29:36)
Unlike the other reviews, this single one will cover three releases of one band and the reasons for doing so are quite obvious. The
differences between those outputs are so minuscule that it would be absurd to write on each on them separately; also I as an editor
have some sort of an responsibility to my readers. So what IS Kosmokrater? It was formed by Mulciber (aka Timpaler) as some
sort of offspring of Astrum and takes the listener back to the days of Blackthrone or to say it slightly different, to a kind of primitive
black metal.
There are certain characteristics in the art, which are somehow constant and used again and again in the process of recording the
music.
1 . The vocals: a mixture between fast singing and speaking with some rare tendencies to scream or growl.
2. The drum-computer: a monotonous and texture-like sound in the background.
3. The riffs: generally minimalist and repeated excessively.
4. The tempo: the music has the tendency to drift into faster regions.
5. The production: raw, unpolished and follows the formulary of the underground.
So, in terms of the art it is nothing really uncommon in the black metal scene. It should be noted that the music lacks a bit of the
atmosphere the listener might expect when it comes to this genre. The music is of the old-school type and has a punkish note on all
of the releases. More like Venom and Hellhammer than anything band would like to present to the majority audience of these
days. If you would like to know how to spot such an attitude in the first place: look at the cover artwork of the CDs: diy and nothing
else.
Yet to reduce these three releases to the description above would be slightly unfair, so I will provide a short description of the
differences of them.
Pure Nekro:
This is the one album with which the spirit of Blackthrone is re-awoken again. It is a bit difficult to compare it to the other ones,
because to do so vice versa is an easier task. Anyway, an aspect which strikes me again and again while listening to this output are
the vocals. They lack a bit of power and might be described as too forced and a bit strange in style.
Black Metal Supremacy:
This release comes the highest overall average in track length (~ 5:31 minutes) of all three outputs. Moreover, with Legions of
Belial Arise it would also contain the longest track of all albums up to date. Aside from this, BMS comes with a slightly muffled
sound, which has an effect on how the guitars are perceived. Furthermore, the noisiness of this instruments tends to drown the
bass as well as the drums at times. So, there are moments in which you will hear nothing else than the vocals and the guitar.
None More Black:
This release is the one with a distinct sound of the bass guitar. Unlike on the preceding two this instrument has some sort of place
in the concept of the band and can clearly identified in the overall raw style of black metal Kosmokrater feels comfortable with.
Otherwise, it is closer to the debut but comes with a more professional touch; also the vocals show some amount of resemblance.
To put it succinctly: Kosmokrater is rather for a small group
of black metal enthusiasts - I would avoid the term fan,
because this is something rather appropriate for someone
whose main focus lies on the mainstream part and an
(partial) ignorance of the underground scene - as it rather
follows their sense of music and style. This is nothing
modern, this is nothing new ... hell, this is even not friendly to
the ears at times. Like Motorhead one basic concept is
reiterated and changed in a number of small variations, but
always with a somewhat characteristic concept. You can
identify this band, can recognize it among others, because
not many will try to compose music in such a fashion.
Summary:
Astrum came a long way. With some first steps under the
moniker Blackthrone, it has evolved with every release a little
bit more. A steady progression, a clearer and clearer path
and a somehow strange as well as rare approach describe
the evolution of the band pretty well. Moreover, from a
merely two-man-army, the line-up has changed significantly
to a full line-up and you can hear this not only in the overall
sound of the albums, but also in the way the songs were written. (Nearly) Past are the days of those simple arrangements,
unnecessary repetitions as well as unbalances in the production or these odd timing errors. When you follow the band and have
had the chances to give each of them a try, then with each output you would find another step in the right direction; on the first one
slower but with some significant leaps on the latest ones.
Kosmokrater on the other hand are some sort of a project which offers nothing but the basic black metal formula. Underground, diy
and a 'slightly' odd concept is what this band is all about. There are hardly band whose music could be used as an example or
something to compare it to, due to actual level that it is out of the ordinary spectrum. The likeliness to gather a large fan basis for
this type of art is rather minuscule, but maybe this was and presumably never will be the idea behind it. Somehow similar to Zarach
'Baal' Tharagh, Timpaler releases music because he has some ideas left and wants them to be shared with an audience.
The latest news on Astrum would be the recording of a new album as well as a split with a band from Portugal. Would the band be
able to take their art on a new level - getting rid of some of the flaws on Apocalyptic Dawn - then these two outputs could be
something to look out for.
The interview:
Greetings Mulciber, please enlighten us on why it was impossible for you to not make music.
I was always creative, and music for me was anotlier avenue for creative expression. Wlien I 1st laid my hands a guitar, I
knew this could be a tool for artistic expression. It was destiny to create sounds for me.
When and how did you start listening to metal and when did you begin to play the guitar?
If memory servs correct, I must have been maybe 12 or younger when I was given my 1st guitar, but it was later that I
used it to create my own songs, I am thinking maybe around 14, or 15, and that's when I got into the underground music
scene of punk and metal, this was maybe 1982/83.
Which releases have been important to you in the early days and has your interested in metal shifted over the years? If
so, to which new shores has this progression lead you to?
I hold the old school style and ethic as my main underlying vision. Bands that impressed me the most were Venom, Celtic
Frost, Sodom, Discharge, The Exploited. I still support and am fans of these bands today. I also very much liked the 2nd
wave of Black Metal with Darkthrone, Immortal, Emperor, and I also like bands like Unleashed, and Candlemass with
Messiah alot.
Looking back, then the metal (music) scene was better fifteen to twenty years ago (at least from my perspective) ... better
music, less labels, I did not have to vomit when turning on the tv -- 1 have none anymore, because the low quality of the
programs began to bore me to death. Is your perception the same or is this kind of looking back just something done by
grumbling old men?
I agree. The old days had limited availablity to learn of new bands, with zines and labels to introduce most bands, and of
course word of mouth, and trading. Today, with the internet, it's almost overkill, while some bands are stand out, it's just so
many, and so many labels. It's good, and bad, but the old days had a charm to them, and then it wasn't so commercial.
I. BLACKTHRONE
Has this been your first band or did you participate in others before this one?
My 1st musical project before Blackthrone was an earlier anarcho punk project called Terminal Solution. This was the
early 90's, and had some ads and reviews in Maximum RocknRoll and Profane Existence magazines.
Are you able to recall the reasons for choosing this band name?
At the time, I was mostly influenced by Darkthrone. I even recorded some cassettes at the time I did not release with titles
based on Darkthrone titles, such as Beneath a Mortuary Moon.
Tell us about how this band got started, how you recorded/wrote your music?
It got started with me wanting to do an underground style black metal with the same vibe as early Darkthrone. I wrote the
material the same way as I wrote all my material, and even recorded it the same, untill just recently, as now the recording
production is much much better.
What did Blackthrone sound like? What was their style?
Well, even though inspired by Darkthrone, I do not believe it sounded like Darkthrone at all. To me, it came out more
similar in a way to Immortal. But always had this rough punkish edge.
Did you get any feedback at the time? How were the releases distributed and do you have an idea on how many copies of
them saw the light of day?
I did get mainly positive feedback from friends. At that time is was cassettes. I passed out a few, I have no idea how many
were distributed. Not many. I always did music 1st for myself, and if others liked it too, great. But even if no one else ever
heard it, I'd still do it.
II. ASTRUM
Why did you change the band name from Blackthrone to Astrum and what would be the meaning behind the new band
name be? Did you also attempt to progress with the art a bit and bring it on a new level with this new approach?
I changed it to Astrum as I felt the name Blackthrone and how it came to be would be limiting to what the sound would be,
or what it would be expected to be, with a name like that. Astrum to me, is associated with the depths of space, and
unlimited, and could be anything I wanted it to be, and would not be assumed to sound like something unheard. The new
level, or approach was more of an artistic freedom to be free to take it where I wanted to.
Your logo is a quite peculiar one: a winged (?) cobra on an ankh, which has a baphomet on it and this would come with an
eye in the middle. Care to explain us the concept behind this a bit?
This is not our logo. Lord Riktor found that somewhere and just used it on the website. It will be replaced soon with a new
sharper image of our original name logo.
How would you describe the music to someone who has never listened to it before?
Old school blackened thrash with a punk vibe.
What has been the basic concept in the music and how has it changed over the time?
The basic concept has always been punk attitude, and old school underground metal. That will never change.
H
You have written to me that a new guitarist will enter the ranks of Astrum. Who is this person and what effect will this
have on your art on the future recordings? Is there a
path you want to progress on?
We have a new guitarist, his name is Drew Blood.
Along with me, Timpaler on bass and vocals, and
A.Tomic on drums. The name Mulciber I use for the
Kosmokrater project. The path of progress is being
a full band, that retains the basic concept, but allows
for other members to use as a vehicle for their ideas
as well, to form a bond of metal that makes Astrum
more than one could do alone.
¥M
III. KOSMOKRATER
You do not like modern black metal do you? Astrum,
another band you are involved in, is nothing the masses
would listen to and Kosmokrater is surrounding an even
viler odour of 'I do not give a fuck'. How do you reply to
this? Why do you prefer the old music over the new
one?
Kosmokrater is approached in a more experimental
manner, of being more sporadic and chaos inspired
and not caring what others think at all, for it's a
personal project, which is sort of like dropping a
bomb and waiting to see what happens. I prefer the
old music I grew up on more than the new, because
that was the pioneer spirit, and it was rebellious and
underground, not a plastic product with the goal of
profit.
Do you think todays bands can catch some of the spirit / '
of the old days of the scene or has the scene shifted too '
much and the equipment become to modern to create i^^
music in a similar style?
I believe it's possible and is being done, by many. Toxic Holocaust comes into mind, and the greats of the old days still do
it too. It's more about attitude than equipment. I am totally ignorant about instruments, I just know it has strings and makes
noise. I taught myself to make songs. They may be considered crude and ameturish to some, but that's what makes it
good.
To compose art for the mere pleasure of doing so or to appeal to the masses? From the perspective of a diy/underground
band, how do you see this aspect?
I am very DIY, that's the main thing that affected me from the old punk days of Crass and Discharge, and even Venom. It
was the message of, "you can do this too". Others that agree with this will see it, and like it. The "masses" will see this too
and not like it. They prefer their plasic products, while the underground wants real metal and punk.
Why are the covers hand-drawn, the last one by Astrum (2009, Icons) is printed for instance, and why the red light? (see
the cover can be found at the IVIetal Archives entry of the band)
10
The covers of Kosmokrater were hand drawn because I am very DIY, and an artist, and just wanted to do them myself. I
may use a different approach for the next Kosmol<rater release, the red light was not intentional, it was just the flash of the
camera I used. The Astrum, being a full band, does try for a more professional look. Our new CD should be very well
designed.
What are the benefits of a one-man-band? Do you think in the process of composing music for Kosmolcrater write music
for Astrum by chance and use it for this project then or is there a gap between these two bands that cannot possibiy be
crossed.
Presntly, there is a gap in the approach of these 2 projects that cannot be crossed. They are different projects, one my
own experimental chaos manifestation, and the other, a solid full band with a more structured group effort approach.
IV. SOME GENERAL QUESTIONS TOWARDS THE END
Why biacic metai? Aii of these bands beiong to this genre and accordingiy it wouid be interesting to Icnow your reasons
for piaying this particuiar l<ind of extreme music, is there something that mal<es it speciai among the other ones?
Black metal, to me, is of the original old style of bands like Venom and Bathory. Like a metal version of punk, and that's
what Astrum is. I find the old vibe of original black metal to have this energy and DIY mentality, that is not about selling out
or making money, but expressing an energy or attitude, more to than a specific message, but an outlet for pure creative
freedom.
What are the iyricai concepts behind these bands? Are the iyrics meant to be straight-forward or do you attempt to wrape
the message in metaphors for instance? Are the authors or concept which have infiuenced you over the years and whose
ideas you want to express through your 'writings'? is there a difference between the bands?
I have made an effort to not go for the "Hail Satan" type of lyrics, as while I do like many bands that do, and I can
appreciate the LaVey philosophy, my lyics often are more based on atmosphere, and imagery, and occultic fantasy. Lord
Riktor has contributed to many songs in Astrum, the one song Reaper he wrote after watching the movie Doomsday. His
style, to me, is very post apocalyptic inspired.
For Astrum and for Kosmol<rater a good deai of promos were spread and how has the feedbacl< been? Do you use the
responses and reviews to improve your siciiis and concept or do you see their impact as overrated? Are reviewers honest
persons from your perspective or do they write pieces for the mere purpose of getting free stuff.
I do like to hear others opinions of my material. While I do 1st and formost make music for myself, I do also seek to
improve myself and my art. I do consider what others say. I also listen to my material and seek to better it with each
release. The feedback has generally been good. Material wise, and also depending on who is listening to it. Some of the
older releases I think get underappreciated due to poor quality recording. The new Astrum CD has a very good recording
this time though.
Are there any pians of a iive-performance of Astrum or Kosmolcrater?
Not for Kosmokater, but Astrum will attempt to play some shows.
Vinyi, tape, CD, iUIP3-downioad ... what kind of format do you prefer and for what reason? hHow do you see the rise of non-
physicai releases?
Personally, I prefer CD. I collect CDs. I like the quality and size of them. A.Tomik, Astrum's drummer is a vinyl collector.
And we have a plan to make the next release a 12 inch vinyl. Also the current album will be on CD, and I think a cassette
release.
Which releases are important to you and should be a part of everyone's metal collection?
The first 4 albums of Venom, the first 3 of Celtic Frost, the first 4 of Sodom, the first 3 of Slayer, the first 4 of Bathory,
some early Destruction, and also Immortal Blizzard Beasts, The Exploited The Massacre, so many to name.
Some final words, please.
The new Astrum CD is done, and just about ready. It is called Apocalyptic Dawn. It is 10 songs, one of them being a cover
of Discharge. Drew Blood, our new guitarist plays on 4 songs. Our engineer Brian G plays bass on one song. We should
have the packaging design done any time, and will get these pressed in a nice digipack CD format. I believe it will be well
recieved. We also have some ideas of playing some shows with the new songs. We also will have T shirts made of the
cool logo design I made.
Kosmokrater will have a new CD out in 201 0.
See the Astrum myspace for some new songs posted:
http://www.myspace.com/themightyastrum
Metal Hail!
11
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12
Soul Devour
I hen you are active at the Metal Archives, then you never know what is/will going to happen to you. I am contacted again
land again by some really obscure bands from countries outside my local hemisphere. Generally, they want to have my
opinion on their music and I am more than willing to share them; who needs another supportive review for the latest
Darkthrone release or any other established black metal band? Soul Devour are a young band from Singapore, a scene which has
gained some prominence in the black metal branch; thanks to Impiety for instance. Yet this new one feels more comfortable in the
death metal branch. In 201 their debut album already saw the light of day, while the year of the band's foundation was 2006. Only
recently Ars Funebris spread a split release with the Malaysian band Crown of Horns.
Band links:
http://www.mvspace.com/souldevoursg
Label links:
http://infernalkaos.dothome.co.kr/
http://www.evilspiritperu.blogspot.com/
The reviews
Soul Devour - Soul Devour (2008)
4 Tracks (CD - self-released) -_-_- (12:36) [first edition]
7 Tracks (CDr -- Infernal Kaos Productions) [second edition]
Tape edition by Evil Spirit D.I.Y. Prod.
Step number one for this band would also be the release which has their
name as the title as well as of a track. A pretty strong statement if you ask me
and I would rather expect this on a later output. Or to put it in different words,
in a time when you can expect the band to have found their style and being
recognizable; in some respect at least. Call me old-fashioned if you like. One
does not necessarily have to follow the formula all the time of course.
First of all, this review was written on the first edition of the release, which
means on four tracks and not on seven. These would consist of three
compositions by the band, while a cover of a Death track was included as
well; see also the interview for the background of this. In terms of the music
this band merges elements from a variety of rather old-school-styles of death
metal. There is a bit of Cannibal Corpse - vocals -, the music shows hints
towards Morbid Angel and in terms of the solos aside from the
aforementioned one also Death should be brought into the line of argument.
Despite a somehow limited drum pattern at times, the band is able to create a
well crafted and interesting mixture of melodic as well as aggressive music.
Soul Devour tried to create some sort of a middle way between these two
facets and while the opening two tracks would show more hints towards the
former, the third provides an example of the latter style. With the exception of
the cover all tracks are below three minutes and when you add what has been
said before, then it should be obvious that this band is rather out to perform
straightforward music than something with too complex arrangements. The
music is not only fun to listen to but also well produced for a young band. So, if you ever thought about checking out a young band
from a small country in South-East Asia, then why not take this one? They know their shit . . . unlike a lot of bands here.
Soul Devour - Apocalyptic Anti-Human Annihilation (2010)
9 Tracks (CD - Infernal Kaos Productions) -_-_- (28:38)
The debut ... already. Really? I am always astounded by the leaps some bands are willing to take. Some take years until they are
ready to spread their first 'opum magnum', while others start their career with it. The Singaporean band thought it would be best to
bring their music on a new level as well and the result would be Apocalyptic Anti-Human Annihilation.
And this release is nothing but a step in the right direction. Not only are the tracks longer, more complex and better written, the
whole album gives the impression of a band who is aware of their music and on how to improve it. You can hear this with track two
already - aside from the fact that there is an Intro I would not start a discussion with it - because it unleashes nothing but a blast of
death metal on the listener. Soul Devour want to make clear where the trip will be going. On the demo a slight focus on more
melodic and midtempo elements together with a monotonous drum pattern in the background was apparent, but this has shifted
and seems to be nothing but a memory of the past. These 'flaws' have been dealt with and the compositions are loaded with neat
twists, breaks and turns.
13
What about the consistency? Is the band able to really convince over the whole length of the album? Yes, the old-school type of the
death metal branch which can be found on the entire release was very well executed. With a focus on more Morbid Angel inspired
art - a mixture between the old stuff and newer ones - and Death - especially the well written solo parts - but played with a slightly
drawn handbrake, the band offers an interesting mixture, which rarely becomes boring. The comment with the brake should be
explained. Soul Devour play fast music or better said they have certain fast segments in their music, but they like to take the tempo
back a bit again and again. Endless and monotonous blasts is not what they have in mind. There is a touch of progressiveness in
the arrangements and the variation in the speed is one aspect in favour of this release.
Next time the bass should be given more room and power. Somehow this album needed this instrument in order to give it more
depth. So, while the production was well executed and leaves little to be desired, this one aspect could have been done better.
Apocalyptic Anti-Human Annihilation is a pretty good listening nonetheless, especially as it does not offer a mere copy the old-
school formula but some sort of a well performed mixture of different influences. You should really give it a try.
Summary:
No, I will do not do this. I will not write endless praises about how the band evolved since their demo, but the steps the band took
since point towards the right direction. Looking back at the demo, then my initial praises might have exaggerated its quality a bit,
but the music on the latest output are most certainly of a kind that is not only worth to be recommended but also to listened to now
and then; I am quite shifty in my tastes and preferences when it comes to music and this is what you should have in the back of
your head while reading the last comment. I wonder how this band will sound like in five years or so, but should Soul Devour be
able to preserve some of the qualities of their early releases, then their music might be of a kind to keep an eye on. As usual:
nothing is certain and the future is a tale that waits to be told.
On a side-note:
Only recently Soul Devour released a split album with the band Crown of Horns - entitled: Glorification ov War, Deatli &
Destruction -via Ars Funebris Records.
The interview
hHaiiz! Piease introduce your band, wliere you iive, tlie members and reasons for your band name.
Mightiest hails to you german metalheadsl! we are SOUL DEVOUR from Singapore , i am DEVOURED on guitars, bass and
growls, and my 2 warlords DAEMONOZ is on guitars and shrieks, and IBLIS on drums, we chose the name SOUL DEVOUR
because it reflects the basic procedure when death occurs, also that it is the actual meaning of life (which is to die!), and it is a
process we'd like all humans to feel!!
Wliy deatli metal? What does this genre mean to you and why did you choose it above others?
Well my friend, i have been fascinated by death metal since i was young, and i feel it is the genre most complicated! death metal is
in the blood and veins I'd say! though my bandmates DAEMONOZ and IBLIS were influenced by black-death metal, i chose death
metal because the genre is more complex and due to that it came first before black metal! And i did not choose thrash metal
because we want something not just about thrashy riffs but more than that, but above all, it is the extremity in music and old-skul
image that bewildered us! praise the 80's era! hails thrash/death/black metal!
When did you start listening to metal and when playing an instrument?
Me? i listen to it since i was 12 years old and i still remembered the first death metal song i listened to is deicide's dead by dawn! i
was surprised by the extreme level of it; the drums were like machine guns and the vocals all, then after that, DEATH METAL
became my true inner self hahahaha! and i started playing instruments when i was 16, yes i wouldn't lie about that, picked a guitar
and you know catch some deicide riffs and all hahaha!
How did the band Soul Devour start? How did the members met first and decided to found a band?
Well i have had a band since i was 1 3 (2001 ), but it never came to what i envisioned, so during 2005, i met DAEMONOZ at our
workplace, and saw him wearing a DEATH t-shirt! we became friends and it seemed that we have the same interest in death metal,
and i figure out, why not start a new band? at the same time i also met YAS (The one playing drums in our demo) at the same
workplace and took him in to play drums, yes, that is soul devour back then! then ibiis came in as a new drummer this year and
hope all will go well for our future releases!
How does the song-writing take place? Do you write them together as a band or separate from each other? What are your
influences for the music and for the lyrics?
As for the demo, the 1 st song necroshadow was composed when i was 1 4 hahahaha! an old song brought forward to our demo,
songs composed were based on songs i listen to and blends in the influence i had, you know inspired by catchy riffs and riffs i
14
made when playing guitar, most music were composed by me, but tine song screams of mercy were created by me and
DAEIVIONOZ. we figure out riffs during sessions and blend in together and that is the final product.
well my influences is mainly from Death (symbolic) cannibal corpse (how i love the album butchered at birth!) deicide (legion!),
obituary(slowly we rot!), immolation, morbid angel(altars of madness!), hate eternal, krisiun, malevolent creation and many more old
skul death metal bands to name! those were the bands i listen to at that point of time and in fact up until now!
lyric-wise is mainly about our anger towards human race, how humans slowly self-destruct the earth and kill each other for their
selfish desires and such., disgust by the existence of humans and hatred drives our mood for writing lyrics!
Your music is rather complex arranged, have nice riffs and are quite catchy... but a bit too short; all songs on the first
edition of the first demo are below three minutes. Will the songs remain short or where do you see Soul Devour progress
towards?
Hahaha! thank you for the nice words and honest thoughts! it is true most songs (in fact all!!) were short in length as it is how i
express my music to be like, a straight forward kind of song! but don't you worry, we will not be repeating the same short length
music for our next release hahahah! i took every comment into account and i will improve for times to come, do wait for the next
release maybe early 2010 and find out!
You have a cover version of Death's Crystal IVIountain on the first of your debut demo and the track 'A Skull Full of
Maggots' by Cannibal Corpse on the re-release by Infernal Kaos Productions. Why these tracks in particular and why
these band? What do they mean to you?
Crystal mountain was DAEMONOZ'S favorite song and he worships chuck as the father of death metal, so why not paying tribute to
him? that is the main reason why we covered crystal mountain, old-skul death metal is what we dig into, as for the song a skull full
of maggots, it it our first song that we practiced after soul devour is formed! so to preserve those memoirs why not we put in a re-
release version? hahaha!
Both songs, see above, are a little bit older. Do you prefer 'old-school' death metal over new one? Or do you not care as
long as the music is heavy as fuck and well played?
Yes! old-school death metal is what we portray! if not for old-school bands, death metal will not flourish as it is now! most young
people nowadays listen to the techy-type of death metal and be proud of it! but when asked about chuck schuldiner, tray azagthoth,
pete Sandoval and all old school shit i bet you they don't know! how ignorant! to tell you the truth we are not proud of too-technical
bands nowadays, you know bands trying to show their talents and stupid emo trendy shitload image... we prefer the real brutality,
the original death metal, old school riffs that is headbangy and all!! fuck trendy wannabe metal bands!
Your first demo was re-released on CD (Infernal Kaos Productions) and on tape(Evil Spirit D.I.Y. Prod.). Please tell us if
you prefer any of these formats; vinyl over tape over CD for instance.
The old school way will be of course those formats you stated! we prefer it all! how i wish one day we have a vinyl of soul devour!
will work on that in the future there my friend! fuck mp3 downloaders hehehehel!
Some words on your side-projects, if you do not mind. What would their style be, are they active, new releases
forthcoming?
Well i have some side project bands in the process.! will update you if it is all set and ready to go! one band is an old-skul death
metal project together with my friend KAI from VRYKOLAKAS (an old-skul band influenced mainly on incantation), and another is
the old school black death metal band ADOKHSINY comprised of international musicians, waxs witchhell from DEIVIONICAL
CRISIS ASSEIVIBLY(malaysia)on drums, Tormenized from IN TORMENT(malaysia) on guitars, and the holder of infernal kaos
productions (korea) Jeff as vocalist, i am on bass and guitar duties, will release something these coming months!
Tell us something about your local scene? Is it striving? Are there a lot of young skilled underground bands (which?) and
is it possible for you to attain many metal concerts there? Did you have had the chance to play live already? If so, please
share with us your experience.
The local scene? i can't say much... honestly all i can say is that most bands were not our cup of tea. there are less old-skul death
metal bands now I'd say. but during those old times in Singapore were the scene flourishing with old school image! all hails mighty
IMPIETY and ABHORER!
we did performed live in Singapore, the first live ever, and a memorable one for us too! i can still remember performing first time live,
it went well but my vocals were not how i want it to be haha.. but anyway, nothing went wrong and it went good!
Are there any plans for the future recordings already?
yes, end of 2009 we will be recording for our next full length, early 201 then soul devour will release our first full-length! and we
want you to have the honor of reviewing us!
How can people reach you?
Please do send comments to my personal e-mail:
15
morbid_necrosadist@hotmail.com
or band e-mail
soul_devour@liotmail.com
or log on to our myspace!
www.mysoace.com/souldevoursg
I'll be the one in charge so feel free to do so!
Some final words please.
My final words: SOUL DEVOUR'S GRATITUDE TO ALL THRASH/DEATH/BLACK METALHEADS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
FOR THE SUPPORT! NOTHING IS AS BRUTAL AS THE SUPPORT FROM YOU GUYS! ETERNAL CONDEMNATION TO
TRENDY WANNABE METAL BANDS AND MASSIVE FUCK OFF TO SELF PROCLAIMING POSERS!!!!!
that is all i guess, and thank u so much for having us here with your zine, i really appreciate it! eternal friends we shall be!!! AVE
SATHANAS!
(Note from the editor: some smaller corrections - capitalizations of the first word of the answers - were done. The rest is left the
way I received it.)
S^DCH
A Summer Evening Churchyard
Lechlade, Gloucestershire
The wind has swept from the wide atmosphere
Each vapour that obscured the sunset's ray ;
And pallid Evening twines its beaming hair
In duskier braids around the languid eyes of
Day :
Silence and Twilight, unbeloved of men.
Creep hand in hand from yon obscurest glen.
They breathe their spells towards the departing day,
Encompassing the earth, air, stars, and sea ;
Light, sound, and motion own the potent sway.
Responding to the charm with its own
mystery'.
The winds are still, or the dry church-tower grass
Knows not their gentle motions as they pass.
Thou too, aereal Pile ! whose pinnacles
Point from one shrine like pyramids of fire,
Obeyest in silence their sweet solemn spells.
Clothing in hues of heaven thy dim and distant spire.
Around whose lessening and invisible height
Gather among the stars the clouds of night.
The dead are sleeping in their sepulchres :
And, mouldering as they sleep, a thrilling sound.
Half sense, half thought, among the darkness stirs.
Breathed from their wormy beds all living
things around.
And mingling with the still night and mute sky
Its awful hush is felt inaudibly.
Thus solemnized and softened, death is mild
And terrorless as this serenest night :
Here could I hope, like some inquiring child
Sporting on graves, that death did hide from
human sight
Sweet secrets, or beside its breathless sleep
That loveliest dreams perpetual watch did
keep.
P. B. Shelley
16
The review section:
The big sleep in search of Hades - Ownland
(Spain; Experimental, Rocl<, IVIetal)
13 Tracl<s (IVIPS - self-released / Jamendo) -_-_- (65:35)
http://www.iamendo.com/de/artist/The big sleep in search of hades ; http://www.mvspace.com/tbigsleeping
Not very long ago I read the novel The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler and when looking at the band's name, I tried to imagine
how this search for Hades would actually look like. The characters in his writings are generally of a kind whose existence tends to
hang in the balance and it should not surprise to see a good amount of them bite the dust in the course of the books; often as a
result of the main characters' - Philip Marlowe by name - tendency to get in messy situations, which he rather tries to solve by
himself and only with the help of the 'official' (police) forces, when he cannot help it anymore. Those who are rather fond of films,
should try to get the Humphrey Bogart versions.
Hades, though, is the place of the dead in the Greek mythology. Moreover, it is also the name of the God, the ruler of this dark and
sinister place. Being a merciless character, persuasions were a hopeless attempt; except for Orpheus of course, whose music was
able to soften the bitter and dark heart of his; do I really have to mention the name of the myth? So, when you combine these two
aspects together, then you get a pretty interesting line of reasoning.
The big sleep in search of Hades... you see how the dubious persons of Chandler's writing are heading for a deadly end, try to
challenge the borders of reality and unmerciful reaper; neatly described in Camus' novel The Plague. They walk on the thin line
between life and death, always close to the one God, whose power it would be to take them down into a world where light and
absolution are rare.
My two cents of insanity...
Ownland might be described as a certain facet or aspect or
part of this eternal (?), never ending struggle. The issue of
retaining one's property or place in the outer world, the
uncertainly of stability in an ever-changing environment. To
have such experimental music is not only natural, it is
mandatory. What else beside affluence in the concept could
be appropriate to reflect the facets of such a problem? The
term 'search' has been left out in the discussion above, but
this is what the music is all about: the band wanders through
different stages and moods and wants to take the listener on
this trip.
The music is pretty experimental and each of the
compositions offers something different from the preceding
one. While the opener is surprisingly long, others seem to
last no longer than a blink of an eye; in comparison. Extreme
in a variety of aspects is the music of this Spanish band and
the oeuvre ranges from metal over post-rock over ambient. It
is really difficult to nail the band to a particular style or sound, because like a shape-shifter - ever played Baldur's Gate -
uncertainty from a viewers perspective seems to blur the perception of the reality and the information overkill does its own part to
confuse this person. Maybe this is the weakness of this release. What does it mean? What the overall meaning behind it all and
how does everything fit together? Like a somnambulant you wander through a world which is unknown to you, but it is difficult if not
impossible to take anything with you. The listener has no lyrics and the download version has also no additional information on the
release. Yes, the song titles give a vague indication of where the road will go, but only a vague one and as the vocals cannot be
understood all the time, there is nothing to give you a guiding hand. I do not want an explanation, because this unravelling of the
mysteries is always the interesting thing about art, but some hints would be really welcome. Maybe the physical version of this CD
has them.
Well, I could write some additional paragraphs on the music, but I have the feeling that it would be lost energy. Too thick are the
layers surrounding this release. Too broad is the attempt and too complex the topic that me, a sole reviewer with none additional
sources of information at hand, would be able to reach the conceptual bottom of this release. So, there is nothing left for me to do
as give a somehow ambivalent recommendation. Give this release a try. It is intense, confusing and deep; it is well performed,
crafted and arranged ... it is all this ... but it is also tough stuff, which might need a lot of time to not only impress the listener but to
give to this person an idea of what this album is all about.
In the big sleep you wander down into the Hades. What you find there? Nothing but a world whose mysteries wait for someone to
unravel them. A daunting task ... a daunting task indeed.
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A Dream of Poe - Lady Shalott (2010)
(Portugal; Gothic/Doom Metal)
5 Tracks (MPS - self-released) -_-_- (36:14)
http://www.mvspace.com/dreamofpoe
This band A Dream of Poe is only one in a number of incidents which confronted me with the American poet Edgar Allen Poe
over the course of the last few weeks. In the previous issue I added a piece of him to my magazine and on the Internet site of the
Poetry Foundation I stumbled over a piece of Abigail Deutsch. In it she wrote about a 2009 funeral to honour his birth - 200 years
ago - as well as his death - 160 years ago. Baltimore's Westminster Church was the place it took place of course and it is an
interesting reading; link provided at the end of this review; (1 )
Lady Shalott would be the 2010 release of the Portuguese doom/gothic band A Dream of Poe. Actually, the title refers to another
writer: Lord Alfred Tennyson; Poe discusses his writings and his attitude towards him in the Democratic Review of December
1844. Actually, he praises his works quite a lot, which you can see from the following excerpt:
/ am not sure that Tennyson is not the greatest of poets. [. . .]
There are passages in his works which rivet a conviction I had long entertained, that the indefinite is an element in the true poiesis.
Why do some persons fatigue themselves in attempts to unravel such fantasy-pieces as the "Lady of Shalott"? As well unweave the
"ventum textilem. " If the author did not deliberately propose to himself a suggestive indefinitiveness of meaning with the view of
bringing about a definitiveness of vague and therefore of spiritual effect-this, at least, arose from the silent analytical promptings of
that poetic genius which, in its supreme development,
embodies all orders of intellectual capacity.
[...]
Tennyson's shorter pieces abound in minute rhythmical
lapses sufficient to asure me that-in common with all poets
living or dead-he has neglected to make precise
investigation of the principles of metre; but, on the other
hand, so perfect is his rhythmical instinct in general that, like
the present Viscount Canterbury, he seems to see with his
ear.
Source: http://books.eserver.org/fiction/poe/marginalia.html
Back on the topic, the title song does not recite the original
text but has paraphrased passages; visit the link below to
access both versions of Lady Shalott (2). With generally slow
and quite atmospheric music the band is able to create quite
a chilling and intense atmosphere. This impression is further
fostered by the clean vocals, whose part is accompanied by
growls, yet the former style has a deeper and more profound
impact on how the art or concept is perceived. The electric
guitars are heavy, while at the beginning of the opener in the
background an additional one - undistorted and rather calm
- works as a counter-point; it appears later again solo and
works as a transitional piece.
Once also the shorter version of the title track is over, the
music offers a Cure cover - If only we could sleep. If you
compare it with the original, then you will notice the huge difference between them. The hypnotic and surreal atmosphere was
replaced by an intense and heavy sound. It may be a matter of personal preferences whether someone likes this or not.
A Dream of Poe play doom metal and they are pretty good at it. Despite a too large amount of vocals at several points and the
oddity to find one track twice - the second time three minutes less in length - the music would be of a kind to satisfy a lot of doom
metal fans. The vocalist knows how to use his voice the riffs are pretty cool and also the song-writing leaves little to be desired.
Heavy, powerful, catchy and well balanced music has found its way on Lady Shalott. Recommended.
1: http://www.poetrvfoundation.org/iournal/article. html?id=238758
2: http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/shalcomb.htm
Ater - Arcane Terre (2007)
(Italy; Black Metal)
5 Tracks (MPS - self-released) -_-_- (27:26)
http://www.mvspace.com/aterblackmetal ; http://www.iamendo.com/en/artist/Ater (2)
An ambitious release; this is what this Arcane Terre is all about. As it is the first recording of this band, you can expect it to have
the obvious and all too common flaws in the music: balancing issues, raw sound and also conceptual aspects. The first can be
discovered throughout the entire release - I do not want to go into details, just listen to the music yourself - , the second one
seems to be the choice of the band in terms of the music and the third is something I am annoyed by at times: too many vocals.
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Even though it was not overdone on this demo, there are moments in which the texts were expressed in such a fashion as to be
tiring. So, despite the attempt to vary the style in which these are expressed, it is not always convincing. The way everything had
been arranged together simply leaves a lot to be desired. One might appreciate some moments, but from a broader perspective
one simply as to point to the following: the band simply feels to comfortable in a done to death concept and avoids anything outside
of it that would help to enrich their music nicely.
So, this is underground black metal. If you are familiar with the Italian band The True Endless - rather old-school influences black
metal - , then take their art but on a lower level. Arcane Terre is not bad, but you might find it tiring to listen to. Even though the
music has its moments once the band reaches for faster regions, the raw production, the absence of a second guitar and the
inability of the vocals to not annoy me, make it difficult if not impossible to listen to this demo.
Thakandar - Unleashed (2009)
(Germany; Black/Death Metal)
3 Tracks (MPS - self-released) -_-_- (12:46)
http://www.iamendo.com/en/artist/Thakandar ; http://www.thakandar.de/
Unleashed on this demo is nothing but the existence of this German band Thakandar. According to Metal Psalter the name of the
band was taken from the Wheel of Time novels and refers to "a completely lifeless valley covered with fo^'. Well, the choice could
have been a worse and just to make one thing clear right form the start, despite this pretty depressive name, the band does not
attempt to express such through their art.
Well, I have listened to first demos whose quality had been much worse. Thakandar's art has at least some decent production and
sound, even though it is too oriented on mainstream music and lacks therefore identity. Speaking of identity, the band sticks to a
quite peculiar type of black/death metal. A mixture of slower and faster passages with vocals whose part tries to avoid the typical
timing; the texts are expressed in a slow and somehow intense fashion; in a style which is supposed to sound dark as well as cool,
but can fail easily once it is overdone.
Aside from this the music is pretty basic stuff and reminds
me a bit on Non Serviam and other bands from this period; a
bit heavier and a larger focus on the death metal. A bit
annoying is the reliance on tremolo-picking as well as the
absence of surprising elements or an idea with which the
band would break out of the slightly monotony of their music.
You can listen and enjoy these three compositions, but do
not expect to be fascinated by them over a longer period of
time. Well crafted music with a bit too much predictability.
Silence Under Scaffold - Cemetary Gates
(Germany; Dark Ambient, Industrial)
6 Tracks (MP3 - self-released) -_-_- (32:21)
http://www.iamendo.com/en/artist/silence under scaffold ; http://www.silenceunderscaffold.de.vu/
Yes, I admit it, I have a certain somehow pathological fixation on cover artworks. They are to me some sort of a fixation point and
when I spot something that well crafted or designed, then the chances are pretty high that the music will be something I will take a
spin of; even if the genre might be a little bit outside of what I normally listen to. Silence Under Scaffold's Cemetary Gates is such
an example. This tree on the cover and the dark as well as gloomy style in which it is presented aroused my curiosity. Moreover, a
short glance on the tags sparked further interest in it: dark ambient; industrial; funeral; monotonic. Well, if you have some sense of
the darker arts, then you will most certainly get an idea of what might await you on this release. But is the band able to stand up to
this and deliver what the brain might anticipate already?
First of all, the music is quite intense; not over the whole length, but at certain moments. The first two aspects - see the tags above
- describe the music quite appropriate. You have a dense noise-like layer in the background, while on top of it industrial sounds
were added in order to create a more intense atmosphere as well as to distract from the monotonous facets. Apocalyptic , this
would be a phrase that comes to the mind while listening to the music. This density in the arrangements at times, the throbbing or
oscillating of the drone motive, this haunting minimalism ... it really grabs you if you have a certain fancy for this type of music.
Aside from this the following aspect should be discussed a bit: in terms of intensity and depth the tracks switch in the level of
execution. While the first part of the album - tracks 1 -3 - are quite powerful in their execution, the succeeding ones are a bit calmer
and less offensive. Moreover, when you listen to the music via headphones, then you will recognize a slight imbalance on the
speakers; the right one has more power than the left.
I would see this release as a counter-point to the minimalism of bands like Cities Last Broadcast or a lot of stuff released under the
drone as well as the dark ambient banner at the Internet Archive. SUS play music in a style some might perceive as a hit in the
face. Nevertheless a bit more of transparency would be much appreciated, but I am able to enjoy this piece of music despite this
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flaw. I like the noisiness, especially of the first three tracks and in particular of the second one. If you like intense dark ambient with
a good amount of industrial elements in it, then this might be something you will thoroughly enjoy.
How to listen to this release:
Not via headphones! I cannot emphasise this too much ... listen on your normal stereo system and make sure to have a good
amount of bass on. Let the earth tremble, let the buildings crumble, let them all fall to the ground ...
Note:
I want to the thank the person behind his band for making the music available on such a short notice on a higher quality than I
would have been able to obtain via any download I found. Very much appreciated!
Twilight Calm
Oh, pleasant eventide !
Clouds on the western side
Grow grey and greyer hiding the warm sun :
The bees and birds, their happy labours done.
Seek their close nests and bide.
Screened in the leafy wood
The stock-doves sit and brood :
The very squirrel leaps from bough to bough
But lazily ; pauses ; and settles now
Where once he stored his food.
One by one the flowers close,
Lily and dewy rose
Shutting their tender petals from the moon :
The grasshoppers are still ; but not so soon
Are still the noisy crows.
The dormouse squats and eats
Choice little dainty bits
Beneath the spreading roots of a broad lime ;
Nibbling his fill he stops from time to time
And listens where he sits.
From far the lowings come
Of cattle driven home :
From farther still the wind brings fitfully
The vast continual murmur of the sea.
Now loud, now almost dumb.
The gnats whirl in the air.
The evening gnats ; and there
The owl opens broad his eyes and wings to sail
For prey ; the bat wakes ; and the shell-less
snail
Comes forth, clammy and bare.
Hark ! that 's the nightingale.
Telling the self-same tale
Her song told when this ancient earth was
young :
So echoes answered when her song was sung
In the first wooded vale.
We call it love and pain
The passion of her strain ;
And yet we little understand or know :
Why should it not be rather joy that so
Throbs in each throbbing vein ?
In separate herds the deer
Lie ; here the bucks, and here
The does, and by its mother sleeps the fawn :
Through all the hours of night until the dawn
They sleep, forgetting fear.
The hare sleeps where it lies.
With wary half-closed eyes ;
The cock has ceased to crow, the hen to cluck :
Only the fox is out, some heedless duck
Or chicken to surprise.
Remote, each single star
Comes out, till there they are
All shining brightly : how the dews fall
damp !
While close at hand the glow-worm lights her
lamp
Or twinkles from afar.
But evening now is done
As much as if the sun
Day-giving had arisen in the East :
For night has come ; and the great calm has
ceased.
The quiet sands have run.
C. G. Rossetti
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Silem - Winter Landscapes (2002/2010)
(Black Metal, Industrial, Noise; Italy)
4 Tracks (MPS - netlabel - Join this order) -_-_- (18:37)
http://www.iamendo.com/en/artist/Silem ; http://www.mvspace.com/iointhisorder
What is this? When I downloaded this demo from Jamendo, I expected not much of it, but from second one the band was able to
catch my attention. Why? Well, this is fast and aggressive black metal of a slightly different sort. Some weird noise, ambient and
industrial parts had been woven into the music and a done to death approach is able to create some amount of fascination. Yes,
nothing new here; nothing new at all. But guess what, Silem got their shit together and progress in terms of a music in a region I
have some fascination for: black metal meets noise.
Black abyss my spirit would be the opener of Winter Landscapes and while other artists would associate something bleak and
desolate with such a metaphor, this band fires barrage after barrage. Just listen at the first second of this track. Would you really
expect such? Organs meet white noise and this combination progresses later into some Setlieriai - Hell Eternal -or Dark Funerai
influenced music. Fast, aggressive, characteristic guitar leads - see: Vobiscum Satanas -can be found throughout the entire demo
and would these be the sole facets of this release, the you could pretty much ignore it. No, the horse is dead, so please try to
suppress your necromantic feelings.
Some words should be spent on the non-metal parts. Unlike in the releases of Rotorvator or Demetrius Grave, on Silem's debut
these were not neatly woven into the concept, but rather appear a bit randomly and surprisingly outside of what a normal listener
would expect. You can find these at the beginning, maybe somewhere in between and certainly towards the end. Yet, to describe
the way they had been added as convincing would be a bit far from the truth. A miss some sort of a red line . . . but as this is the first
demo, such might be expected.
This is a good and interesting demo. Even though the idea of combining black metal with influences from other genres is not new
and also not executed in an entirely convincing way, the performance is still as such as to motivate the listener to take some
additional spins. A bit more experimenting, a bit more daring in the approach and the music could become interesting indeed.
Janne Hanliisuanto - Icescapes (2010)
(Finland; Dark Ambient, Experimental)
8 Tracks (MPS - Netlabel - Earth Mantra Netlabel) -_-_- (44:16)
http://www.archive.org/details/earman131
Ice and snow are those aspects of my childhood that I like to refer to as precious and special. I liked to run around in the snow in
the winter; yes, at the coast of northern Germany, we had winters with a lot of these white and cold stuff; a lot of frozen rivers and it
was a jolly to run over the icy drains or canals. Today, such is hardly possible anymore. Climate Chance has shifted the
temperature to higher levels and the days of cold winters are almost gone entirely. It is a pity. When writing these lines the summer
already unleashes its horrible and disgusting warmth again, so by listening to these minimalist tunes of the Finnish composer
Janne hHanliisuanto memories of better days of the year are awoken somehow.
The music is generally quite minimalist in terms of the 'melody line'. Complexity does not seem to be an aspect this band really
wants to dig too deep into and accordingly was the focus set on the atmosphere. Ambient textures, accompanied by guitars, piano
and also some electronic beats are the elements used for the Icescape recordings. Yes, the approach is by no means generic, but
those aforementioned facets do not appear in every track and not all at once. A bit of this and a bit of that; sometimes the emphasis
more on the former, then on the latter, then something different. Constant in some respect is the calmness and the slowness in
which the music progresses. The atmosphere is the important aspect of this release and even though the sadness or the loneliness
of the 'icescapes' is expressed properly, the Finnish artists did not stop there. Beats create a welcome counterpoint and give hints
on what ice and snow can also mean to some: joy and fun. So, the minimalism was broken up a bit... This is something not too far
21
away from space ambient
Jaaportit.
see the Internet Archive - but Janne Hanhisuanto attempted to move slightly towards artists like
It is somehow sad to see/hear that the release varies in a bit in quality. For some reason I cannot stand Movement 4 and its piano
oriented style. Maybe I put a too large emphasis on the flow and see in the play of this instrument an intrusion of a certain
atmosphere I like to preserve somehow; keep pristine and untouched. Even though in Movement 6 some beat like motive appears
and disrupts the tensions created earlier, I perceive it on a different level and I am not that annoyed as by the other aforementioned
composition.
When you take a look at the title and also on the cover artwork, then you might imagine a certain type of music, which is then varied
to a certain degree in order to avoid monotony. Snow, ice and winter is presented here from a broader point of view and even
though the overall direction can clearly be identified, the actual idea behind some of the compositions might surprise some. Those
cold realms and cold days are not always depressing. There is more to them and some facets were explored with this release.
MZ-N710 - Paysages Industriels
(France; Field Recordings)
18 Tracks (MPS - Netlabel - Earsheltering)
http://www.archive.org/details/earS029
(47:29)
Similar to the preceding issue of this magazine, also this one comes with a review on a field-recording album. I like to these sound
fragments of reality and how they are arranged together. The multitude of sounds and noises, all those tiny bits from different
places, obscure machines and abandoned locations, let your thought drift away into a dream world. A world outside of the common
one. A world bereft of all the visual images, you normally would have to rely on. MZ-N710 has recorded the sound of trains as well
as of mills and crafted eighteen compositions out of these.
Being rather short in length and without any other manipulation - ambient or drone textures for instance - the listener is thrown into
a world of minimalism. Even though the first tracks have some human voices in the background, the latter ones tend to consist of
only a few elements and give hardly any indication on where they have been taken, left alone what the original source of the noise
could be. A somehow common 'feature' is the monotony or better said constancy with which the sound appear. Therefore, it is only
natural to try to find some sort of rhythm or texture in the industrial sounds and not surprisingly such so appear. Yet while hidden
and because it is necessary to give the ears some amount of time to get used to the environment presented in each of the
compositions, patience is needed to dig deep into this very limited 'audio world'. It should be noted though that the horns of the
trains fall out of this category and provide the listener with a neat and, at least to me, fascinating glimpse of the world of old
machinery. In Germany we have a series of documentaries called Eisenbahn-Romantik (1) - English: railway romance (literally) -
and even though I have seen several of these I never really focused on the sounds of the trains or engines. Paysages Industriels
was able to show me that there is more to them that there design and their history. They have a distinct sound and this aspect
might get neglected or ignored at times.
Sadly, the recording is not consistent in terms of the quality. The first track for instance was not recorded in an optimal way as the
volume shots up while the train blows up the horn. Not surprisingly the noise level reached a peak and shot off the limit; created
some crackling sound and fragments in the flow of the sound. Aside from this, some of the tracks a show a bit too much of a
resemblance. Some tracks are also a bit too short.
Nevertheless, some nice sounds and noises can be found on this recording. If you ignore the aforementioned flaw a bit and have a
fancy for 'industrial' - human artefacts - and what can be made out of them. The focus is rather narrow here, but as the execution
appears on a good level, it is possible to find some beauty in Paysages Industriels. Additional manipulation would have brought the
field recordings on a higher level, but this was not the intention of the artist behind this project.
1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eisenbahn-Romantik
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And the Willow Weeps - Elegy (Collateral Murder) (2010)
(Germany; ambient, noise, experimental)
1 Tracl< (IVIPS - self-released) -_-_- (14:40)
http://www.mvspace.com/andthewillowweeps
The first thing that came to my mind when stumbling about this track was the Guernica (painting) by Picasso and other ones by
painters of the Expressionism, which dealt with WWI. This attempts to deal with the horrors of war, death and destruction and to
express it somehow through art.
Collateral Murder documents the slaying of several civilians in Baghdad, including two members of the Reuters news staff. In
2010 a video was released by Wikileaks, in which the killing was documented. It sparked international outrage, due to the
circumstances in which the deaths occurred and how the helicopter crew reacted during the incident. Contrary to early statements
by the Pentagon, the helicopter crew had not been attacked by the persons on the ground and used their firepower therefore not as
a response to a thread or a shooting. A website made two versions of the video - an edited and a full version - available to the
public:
http://www.collateralmurder.com/
Elegy (Collateral Murder) is the first release by the German band And the Willow Weeps. In style and concept the short version
of the video was used - the audio part was taken - and around it the music had been written. So, while there is the nearly constant
voices of the several American soldiers, instruments create a counter-point and an atmosphere. These would be pretty minimalist
and show a good amount of influences from the post-rock genre. Additional ones would be sound or noise fragments and it would
be up to them to create some sort of a background texture. So, the music is as such: an ambient introduction progresses later into
the play of an acoustic guitar. Sadness or a general mood of depression is created through this. The sounds were created as such
as to support the certain passages or moments in the 'video' - when the shootings take place for instance.
It is a form of manipulation and also a certain perspective is transported through the arrangements. When listening to the track I
wondered whether a different interpretation would have also been possible. Imagine something cheering and positive, something
that in mood and atmosphere would be on the other end of the scale. Is there a chance to somehow mock the atrocities of the
American soldiers through some sort of pop or rock song and what kind of emotion could be created on the site of the listener
through such an approach?
Anyway, it is good to see a artist respond to what happened in Iraq and to help deal with it through some form of art. I cannot say I
am entirely convinced of the performance - there are some odd crackling noises at some point of the track - and at times I find the
calmness a bit too tiring, but the way it was deal with seems quite appropriate nonetheless. I wonder whether And the Willow
Weeps will take on other incidents as well on future albums.
Nernes / Skagen - Montreal (live) (2010)
(Norway; Drone, Doom, Noise)
1 Track (MPS - netlabel - Drowning) -_-_- (32:15)
http://www.mvspace.com/conceptvirus ; http://drowning.cc
I hate name droppings. I really hate it. When you read a review and the writer simply throws the name of some bands around, then
those familiar with the genre might be able to get some of this intention, but anyone else will just look at bewildered at this example
for bad writing. When you compare an album to Motorhead, then every metalhead with get the idea and understand how it is
meant, but as other artists tend to change their style and concept over the years, then what good is to come of this word ghetto?
Think about it; how would you interpret such a comparison: sounds like Emperor or similar to Satyricon. Do we really live in a time
of limited internet or web space?
I discovered the release by Nernes / Skagen only recently and it was the cover artwork, which caught my attention. Obviously
inspired by the black metal scene, I hoped to find something of the sort in the music, but it took not very long to unravel the mystery
of this recording. Drone, doom, noise ... these are the elements used the Norwegian bands and they combined them in a quite long
live session. The emphasis lies on the guitar and if there is one aspect that will be able to stick into the head, then it is the endlessly
and monotonous play of the guitar. Actually, I am a bit reminded on the worst examples of the depressive black metal branch: keep
it minimalist, limit variation and repeat everything over excess. Well, Nernes / Skagen tried to deal with the latter aspect by using
noise samples or fragments over the course of the track. This way, the limited and shallowness of the concept was attempted to be
avoided; but with limited success to be frank. You never get the impression the band would be able to break out of their self-
limitation and at least try to create a deeper and fascinating atmosphere. Yes, drone is often crafted this way, but this vague
argument should not be used as an excuse for the pretty weak performance of the band.
Well, this is a live recording and the mix lacks the transparency as well as the balancing of the debut studio album. So, to see the
atmosphere transported in a similar fashion is not an easy task and also Nernes / Skagen face some difficulties in getting their
music across. Thirty-two minutes is this one track long and it is quite boring at times, due to the lack of variation and absence
additional elements. There is always the guitar in the background, playing a stupendously monotonous progression of chords.
Really, do not listen to the music after a good day's work... you might fall asleep.
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Index pictures:
http://www.archive.org/details/cu31 9240321 85989
http://www.archive.org/details/imaginationinlanOOhame
http://www.archive.org/details/landscapepaintinOOgreerich
http://www.archive.org/details/landscapepaintinOOharriala
http://www.archive.org/details/irishlifelandscaOOwalk
Index texts:
http://www.archive.org/details/englishlandscapeOObari
http://www.archive.org/details/landscapepaintinOOgreerich
Outlook:
A discussion of the cover versions of Venom's tracl< Blacl< IVIetal
A view on the Constant series
Some essays
(Yes, all these three things are still in the making, believe it or not)
Interviews
Reviews
and commercials you have ever seen before.
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